An Unknown Classic (picture book)

 

Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN: 9780399233159

Plot Summary:

In this simple story about a man showing love for his wife by going out and getting her a cat, Wanda Gag chooses to write this in a folklore format. She tells a story about an elderly couple and how the husband goes to get a cat but has trouble choosing the prettiest one for his wife. The husband begins with finding a cat but soon comes across another that is equally pretty. As the story goes on, we see that the husband just can’t choose one and well, you will need to read the story to find out what happens next.

Critical Analysis:

Ms. Gag’s writing is simple and goes with the time in which she wrote it. She was an artist who believed in simplicity. She disliked the ink used in printing and so she enlists her brother to handwrite the text. Thus it has a neat, simplistic, and a cuteness in the lettering. This also lead Ms. Gag to write her story in a folksy manner; it has a slight rhythmic refrain. Ms. Ga’g was the illustrator as well. She drew her pictures using black ink and spread them from page to page in what has been described as panoramic. So while the reader is enjoying the story, they are able to follow across the page: left to right. Millions of Cats was published in 1928, and it is the oldest picture book that is in print.

Review Excerpts:

Newbery Medal Winner-1929

*The reviews written are my own and are part of graduate studies work for Sam Houston State University College of Education.